Stand Out Players of the Atascocita vs North Shore Game
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Game of the Year??? Out of all the games I have seen this season, this one was the most anticipated! I quite like both teams, but only one could come out victorious. I have seen both teams in person separately,…
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Continue ReadingGame of the Year??? Out of all the games I have seen this season, this one was the most anticipated! I quite like both teams, but only one could come out victorious. I have seen both teams in person separately, and both were fairly dominate against their opponents. Though Atascocita had the only lose of the two squads (35-28 to Katy Week 2), they were still the 6A Region III District 21 leaders heading into this matchup! That all changed Thursday night, with North Shore remaining undefeated and moving into first place. The game was low scoring, but it was still a good one. Here are the Stand Out Players:
Atascocita
BIG MUUUUUUU…..you could hear that any time Samu had a play, and…spoilers…he made a lot of plays! The center of the defensive line was unmovable! He slimmed down a lot from last year, and you can see it transition to the field. He was quicker of the line and used his hands well . One offensive lineman was not blocking him by himself. A true run stuffer, 99 pushed the line of scrimmage back. North Shore had better success running off tackle/outside to move the ball. Though he lost weight, I felt like he still got gassed and was not as effective on passing downs later on in the game. That would be his biggest Achilles Heel. The senior played a solid game and was a force on the inside!
This kid can make you miss in a phonebooth. His vision and patience is very impressive. Once he sees a hole he can accelerate with ease. Blaylock was not able to take over the ground game as he wanted to, but was still able to help his team! 6 took a kick off return from about the opposing teams’ 20 yard line, outran two defenders with his speed, and took the ball to about the opposite 15 yard line! That play summed up Blaylock’s playing style. Not the biggest, he still has room to get bigger in the weight room. I am excited to see what the sophomore has in store for us moving forward.
Highlights
The nearly 6’0″, 210 linebacker may have been the best defender on Atascocita’s team! Not overly fast, the senior makes up for it with quick reactions and aggression. Ducos understands run and pass fits, flowing to the ball well and stepping in front of passes. He used his hands well to take on and shed blocks. His pursuit angles were precise and sudden. Easily the leader of the defense, Ducos corrected his teammates when they were misaligned, bailed them out if they missed assignments and made all the calls. His best trait was his physicality. I know what you’re thinking, Tee, all linebackers are supposed to be physical. And to that I would say, you are not wrong, but they way Ducos launched himself at a ball carrier and stonewalled him, was not your average hit, trust me! When he arrived at to the football, he did so with no regard for his body. And it may sound reckless, but the senior leader made quality, formed tackles, and never over pursued to the ball! I like this kids game!
North Shore
How often do you see a 6’2″ cornerback in high school? Now how often do you see one with loose hips and good change of direction? Well let me introduce you to Devin Sanchez Devin Sanchez 6’2″ | 170 lbs | DB North Shore | 2025 State TX , if you haven’t heard of him. Only a sophomore, he already understands how to use his body as a weapon. A lot of bigger corners rely too much on their size, so dealing with smaller shiftier receivers becomes a problem. Sanchez footwork is quick. He is able to stay square with receivers, then use his frame to force them to the sideline. He is a physical player too, welcoming contact whenever it comes to his side. Never too antsy, he was patient and never handsy. He made the game sealing interception! Sanchez has a couple more years to get in the weight room and play bigger, faster players. He may leave North Shore as one of the most polished recruits to leave that program!
Highlights
Christopher Barnes
Christopher Barnes
As the game is going along, I noticed this small receiver breaking a couple of ankles. I scrolled up and down the roster and could not find his name to save my life! I scoured the internet till I finally found my guy, Christopher Barnes! This. Kid. Can. Fly I genuinely thought he was a going to score every time the touched the ball. He caught the football very naturally and effortlessly. Once the ball touched his hands was when the major really happened. The defense definitely had to gang tackle or corral this kid, because the first man was guaranteed to miss him. Fast as lightning and quick as a hiccup, a very dangerous combination! He returned kicks and punts as well. Not nearly the biggest player on the field, he still ran tough and welcomed linebackers and safeties. On a first down run, North Shore ran a fake reverse to Barnes and everyone, including myself, thought he was getting the ball. That’s how explosive he was. The more North Shore gives him the ball, the better the results. The junior is an effective weapon in the North Shore offense.
David Amador
David Amador
I was not allowed to put two positions, but Amador is the QB for the North Shore Mustangs! He had to step in for the injured Kaleb Bailey Kaleb Bailey 6’2″ | 195 lbs | QB North Shore | 2025 State TX . Maybe you’ve heard of him, sophomore phenom QB who was leading North Shore to a dominate/undefeated season. Anyways, he went down and WR had to step in in his place. As the season has progressed, and he has gotten more comfortable, David has made plays both in the air and on the ground! He is someone his teammates can rally around and he is very capable of handling all times of pressure. Remember the fake reverse to Barnes? Well David actually kept the ball on that play and it broke for a huge gain! The senior does the little things right, which makes him dangerous with the ball in his hands!